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From black-rimmed plates they ate turtle soup and eaten…

“From black-rimmed plates they ate turtle soup and eaten Russian rye bread, ripe Turkish olives, caviar, salted mullet-roe, smoked Frankfurt black puddings, game in gravies the colour of liquorice and boot-blacking truffled sauces, chocolate caramel creams, plum puddings, nectarines, preserved…” quote by Joris-Karl Huysmans
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““From black-rimmed plates they ate turtle soup and eaten Russian rye bread, ripe Turkish olives, caviar, salted mullet-roe, smoked Frankfurt black puddings, game in gravies the colour of liquorice and boot-blacking truffled sauces, chocolate caramel creams, plum puddings, nectarines, preserved fruits, mulberries and heart-cherries; from dark coloured glasses they drank the wines of Limagne and Rousillon, of Tenedoes, Val de Peñas and Oporto, and, after the coffee and the walnut cordial they enjoyed kvass, porters and stouts.””

Joris-Karl Huysmans

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A lavish description of exotic foods and drinks highlights indulgence and cultural opulence.

In simple terms: Rich feast shows excess and taste.

Key Takeaway

Appreciate diverse cuisines, but beware overindulgence.

Themes

culture indulgence food luxury

Mood

opulent sensory reflective

Type

descriptive literary

When to use this quote

  • Fine dining
  • travel writing
  • historical culinary analysis

Key Concepts

Sensory detail exoticism social status

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does this feast reveal about the era's values?
  • How does food reflect identity?
A Different Perspective

May romanticize excess, ignoring scarcity.

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